Horse Races - 2nd Try - Just the heads

[Brownbear]

And here are my "on the move" portrait shots which I like far more than my horse race shots.

SS 1000-2500 F4-F8 Exp Comp 0 to -1 and panned to the best of my ability.

Processed in LR, sharpened and added clarity to just the horses head



#1



#2



#3


#4


#5




C&C would be most appreciated for these. Thank you.

[Digital]

I do not think these are as good as your full body shots. If I had to choose I would pick #5.


Bruce

[Brownbear]

Thank you for your honesty Bruce... Appreciated.

I like these better because of the backgrounds and of course because I love horses... Can you nail anything specific that you don't care for as much, ie; focus, blurry, just plain odd compositions?

I do not think these are as good as your full body shots. If I had to choose I would pick #5.


Bruce

[Stagecoach]

Hi Christina,

You have captured the heads really well considering they were on the move and the speed, but, I'm not sure they portray speed or movement sufficiently.

Grahame

[Digital]

Thank you for your honesty Bruce... Appreciated.

I like these better because of the backgrounds and of course because I love horses... Can you nail anything specific that you don't care for as much, ie; focus, blurry, just plain odd compositions?

Being from Kentucky (that makes me an expert on photos of horses), I find that I like a more head on shot of a horse as opposed to a profile. With this in mind my criticism is not entirely fair since you were not in a position to take this kind of shot.
That is why I like the full body shots of the horses better.

Bruce

[nimitzbenedicto]

Overall great shots.

Perhaps, to make the viewer aware they were shot on the move,
a little panning-blur.

Just me.

Hope this helps.

[Brownbear]

Grahame and Victor,
Thank you that is helpful to know.... I think I am far better at panning birds than horses so with practice hopefully I will be able to capture that sense of movement.

Bruce,
Thank you also very helpful to know. Perhaps one day I will manage to find a position better suited for a front shot. I adore horses, so maybe I will move to Kentucky!

[ajsmith]

I think these are nice shots. The exposure and focus is really good and you captured the expression in their faces. I like the depth of field, with just the horse in focus.

I agree with the others as far as composition. I would like to see more of the horses body, although I do like #5.

[Donald]

First thing - let's celebrate the skill involved in nailing these shots. Given that you're working with horses on the move, then what we have here are good, sharp, well-exposed images. I think what you've done here is a perfect progression from that last set and, to me, comprises part of the practice programme that, when all put together, will produce the sort of high quality images that you are wanting.

I think Grahame's comment (" I'm not sure they portray speed or movement sufficiently") is particularly helpful and is one to reflect upon, although we can see panning in action in #3, #4 and #5. Once you start getting wider again for full-body shots, you will need to take the shutter speed down quite a bit to get that blurred background.

I'm enjoying seeing these.

[Shadowman]

Nice portrait quality to me. For movement, yes panning would be an option or creative zooming of a telephoto.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Donald and John, and all for your comments and feedback.

The next time around I will just focus on panning and look for a spot that allows for the greatest panning distance, and try that lower shutter speed once more.

[AB26]

Christina,

Sharp, crisp, clear images with beautiful colour. A very good round to practice your BIF shots.
Remember Donald’s words next time you want to show “movement”. (1/160 should do)
Well done. Go get the birds like you got the horses!

[Brownbear]

Thank you, Andre

In my inbox this morning... An article on motion blur.... fate I suppose. I will try 160 again... Really hard to pan with all the posts and racing mannequins in the way. I honestly don't know if I can do it, but I'll try again.

I got my birds better than my horses all last week...

Christina,

Sharp, crisp, clear images with beautiful colour. A very good round to practice your BIF shots.
Remember Donald’s words next time you want to show “movement”. (1/160 should do)
Well done. Go get the birds like you got the horses!

[Wavelength]

I like these head shots